Mask-to-mask resuscitation systems



Nov. 14, 1967 R. G. BARTLETT, JR 7 3,352,304

MASK-TO-MASK RESUSCITATION SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 30, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' I5 REDUCER DEMAND REGULATOR 24 25 I2 D MAND REGULATOR FIG. I

I N VENTOR.

ATTORNEY ROSCOE G. BARTLETT JR.

1967 R. G. BARTLETT, JR

MASK'TOMASK RESUSCITATION SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 30, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

OPERATOR ABSORBER FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

ROSCOE G. B TLETT JR.

United States Patent 3,352,304 MASK-TO-MASK RESUSCITAIION SYSTEMS Roscoe G. Bartlett, Jr., Lime Kiln, Md. 21763 Filed Nov. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 414,768 30 Claims. (Cl. 128145.8)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to a resuscitation arrangement wherein the rescuer and the victim are provided with facernasks and each party may breathe air or oxygen in either an open or closed circuit. Additionally, either party may perform the rescue effort and force air or oxygen into the others respiratory system. In the actual apparatus, the rebreathing device also serves as a breath pump interconnecting both systems.

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for aiding individuals experiencing respiratory difficulties because of an insufficiency of oxygen in their breathing environment or because of a temperary interruption of their breathing mechanism brought about by, for example, a paralytic or gas attack and, more particularly, to a resuscitation system which can readily be interconnected in a variety of different ventilating and operational modes.

In the so-called mouth-to-mouth resuscitation method, the rescuers expired breath, as is well known, is discharged directly into the victims lungs in an effort to restore these organs to their normal operation. In a variation of this technique, a facemask is fitted over the vict'ums face, and the rescuer utilizes the remote and disconnected end of the oxygen supply line for this mask as a mouthpiece or couples this line to the exhaust line of his own mask.

In applicants copending application, Ser. No. 389,039, filed Aug. 12, 1964, now Patent No. 3,327,704, there is disclosed a versatile resuscitation system utilizing a maskto-mask method which can be arranged to permit, for example, the rescuer to breathe pure oxygen and ventilate the victim with his discharge, with the victims expirations reclaimed for further use by the rescuer. Alternatively, the system can be connected so as to have the rescuer breathe air from the local environment and still continue his resuscitation effort. Also, the system can be transformed into a rebreather escape device with oxygen which can operate in an open or closed circuit mode. Each of these modes can be selected by the operator or rescuer and put into practice by merely making or breaking selected connections.

In the systems disclosed in the above-identified application, the rescuers discharge passes directly into the respiratory system of the victim, and the latters exhalation, after treatment in a carbon dioxide adsorber, is rebreathed by the rescuer when the system is connected in a closed-loop configuration for minimizing the oxygen drain from the oxygen storage supply. Thus, there is always the possibility of mutual contamination. In order to avoid this, the present invention includes a breath pump or rebreather which permits the victim to be ventilated by the rescuer but provides complete isolation between the respiratory systems of the two parties.

In this system the operator and the victim may both breathe oxygen in a rebreathing mode to minimize oxygen consumption, or the victim can be ventilated with oxygen while the operator breathes air, or both parties can be on air. Each of the above dilferent modes of ventilation can be readily selected by the operator and put in practice by simple mechanical adjustments to the systern.

Also, by making certain minor disconnections to the Patented Nov. 14, 1967 system, the apparatus can be transformed into a rebreather or inhalation escape device for either party. Additionallly, the apparatus can be conveniently switched between an open-end circuit mode to purge, for example the respiratory system of the operator or the victim wheri this is necessary at high altitudes or to eliminate for examlple, carbon monoxide from the body. 7

is accordingly a primary object of the r tion to provide a flexible system for emergen cy iiiilin i i i y resuscitation wherein the rescuer and the victim can be ventilatedthwitih either oxygen or air in a mask-to-mask r scue me 0 with com piratory systems. plete isolation between their res- Another object of the present invention is t rlzsrpgruatorly apparatus wherein, at the rescuer b pl ib iii s a erna ive ventil reviving the victim. ation modes can be selected for Another object of the present invention is to provide a respiratory system wherein rescuer and victim are intercoupled in a facemask-to-facemask circuit with isolation therebetween for preventing mutual contamination.

Another ObJCCt of the present invention is to provide an emergency resuscitation system utilizing a pair of facemasks which can be intercoupled in an open or closed cliriclrgltsmode with complete isolation between the indi- Another object of the present invention is facemask-to-facemask resuscitation system wbic ii ii ri bz transformed into a rebreather or inhalation escape device for e ther party by simple adjustments. Briefly and in somewhat general terms, the above obects of invention are realized in one preferred embodiment of the invention by providing the rescuer or operator with a facemask equipped with check valves which allow e ther air or oxygen to flow into his facemask area and his exhalations to pass out therefrom and by providing the victim with a similar facemask but one designed for pressure breathing. In this latter type of mask, as is well known, the discharge valve is pressure-compensated so that it remains closed while the air or oxygen is being forced into the victims respiratory system, opening only in response to the victims passive exhalations.

The input line of the operators mask and the input line of the victims mask are each coupled by means of demand valves and a common pressure reducer to an oxygen storage supply. Thus, each of the individuals can be independently supplied with oxygen on a demand basis. The operators discharge line is coupled to one side of a breath pump, the other side end of which is coupled through a check valve to both the victims inlet and exhaust lines. To conserve oxygen and prolong the lifetime of the oxygen supply, carbon dioxide absorbers are included in the operators and victims rebreathing loops. Because the operator and victim are intercoupled only through the breath pump, their respiratory systems are isolated and protected against mutual contamination.

Also included in the system at strategic locations are several quick, self-sealing disconnectors, and by decoupling the system -at these points the apparatus can be transformed readily from a resuscitation device to a rebreather or inhalation escape device for either party.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the element common to both the rescuers and victims breathing circuit is a back-to-back rebreathing device which can be subdivided to allow either party to operate in a rebreathing mode to conserve their own oxygen suptailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one modification of the present invention when arranged to provide closed loop rebreathing circuits for both the operator. and the victim;

FIG. 2 shows the details of a pressurecompensated exhalation valve of the type required in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a simple, self-sealing disconnector which can be utilized at various sites in the system; and

FIG. 4 is an alternative system which can be subdivided to provide two complete and independent breathing systems for the operator and victim.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings which schematically illustrates the various components interconnected in a mask-to-mask resuscitation mode with oxygen rebreathing loops for the victim and rescuer, it will be seen that the system includes a first facemask 1, the operators mask, provided with flexible inlet and exhaust lines 2 and 3, respectively, which lead into and communicate with the facemask area. Positioned within inlet line 2 is a conventional, normally closed, check valve 4 which is arranged to move to an open position during the inhalation eflort of the operator when the pressure level within his facemask area drops below that within the lower portion of this line. Positioned, likewise, within exhaust line 3 is a normally closed, check valve 5, which is arranged to open during the expirational portion of his breathing cycle when the pressure level within the facemask area exceeds that within the lower portion of this line. Valves 4 and 5, it will thus be appreciated, operate in a sequential manner during the operators breathing cycle to permit him to inhale oxygen, an oxygen-air mixture or air and to discharge his exhalations from the facemask area.

Valve 5 in the usual mask vents the individuals exhalations into the atmosphere. In the present system, as will be seen hereinafter, these exhalations are utilizedto drive a breath pump to revitalize the victim by either forcing oxygen or air into his respiratory system.

Inlet line 2 in this modification, which is a flexible air passageway where it extends beyond the facemask, has mounted in a sidewall portion thereof a manually operated, flap valve 6 which, in one of its positions, vents this line at point 7 while blocking it at a downstream point 8. When rotated to its other position, it closes vent 7 and does not interfere with the free passage of gas through line 2.

Mounted in line 2 so as to treat any gas mixture flowing therethrough is a carbon dioxide absorber 9 for permitting the operator to rebreathe this gas either alone or admixed with oxygen from the oxygen storage supply. Line 2 has a branch line 10 coupled thereto, and this line which contains a conventional demand valve 11 is coupled at its remote end by a quick disconnector 12 of the selfsealing type to a T-section 13, whose vertical branch line 14 contains a pressure reducer 15 and an oxygen storage member 16.

The victims facemask 17, like the operators facemask, includes a flexible inlet line 18 and a flexible discharge line 19. Positioned within line 18 is a conventional, normally closed, check valve 20 similarto the one present in the operators inlet, line 2. However, this facemask is equipped with a conventional exhalation valve 21 of the pressure-compensated type. To illustrate the nature of this valve, the circuit includes a small pressure-balancing passageway 22 interconnecting the inlet line 18 and discharge line 19. This line, it will be appreciated, applies a counterbalancing pressure to the confronting lower side of valve 21, thereby maintaining it closed when air or oxygen is forced into the victims facemask area during the resuscitation attempt. Without this provision, this gas transfer process would be ineffective with the victim connected in an open circuit breathing mode, since valve 20 would open and bypass his respiratory system. Valve'21, it will thus be seen, is opened only by the victims passive exhalations.

4 Valves 20 and 21 in facemask 17 consequently open during mutually exclusive periods corresponding to the times during which air or oxygen is being forced into the victims facemask area and the times during which his expirational action is being carried out by himself or the operator.

Inlet line 18 of the victims facemask, like inlet line 2 associated with the operators mask, has a branch line 23 coupled thereto, and this line contains a conventional demand valve 24. The remote end of this line is coupled to one branch of the T-section 13 by a quick disconnector 25 of the self-sealing type. Positioned within discharge line 19 is a manually operated flap valve 26 of the type employed in the rescuers inlet line. This component, in one of its positions, opens line 19 to the atmosphere on the mask side while simultaneously closing it on the downstream side. In its other position, it is fiush with the inner wall of line 19, closing the vent to the atmosphere and allowing the uninterrupted passage of gas through this line.

A carbon dioxide absorber 27 is also incorporated in discharge line 19 for treating the victims discharge when he is being resuscitated with oxygen or when he is breathing oxygen in a closed circuit mode.

In order to permit the rescuers exhalations to be utilized in the resuscitation attempt and still isolate the re-.

spiratory systems of the victim and the rescuer, the present invention, as illudcd to hereinbefore, utilizes as the common element of both breathing circuits a breath pump 28, which has a housing 29 opened at opposite ends 30 and 31 and a flexible bellows 32 accommodated therein. Bellows 32, which is preformed to return to a midposition after it has been distended by .air forced therein, is sealed at its rim portion 33 to the open side 31 of housing 29. At side 30, this pump is connected by a quick disconnector 34 of the self-sealing type .to a flexible line 35 which is in communication with branch line 23 and inlet and exhaust lines 18 and 19 of the victims facemask. At its other side 31, the breath pump is also connected by a quick disconnector 36and a line 37 to branch line 10 and inlet and exhaust lines 2 and 3 of the rescuers mask.

Wall mounted in line 35 is an air inlet check valve 38 which can be blocked by closure cap 39..This valve is placed in an operable condition only when it is desired to attempt resuscitation of the victim with air or when the victim is capable of breathing air. Line 35 also contains a normally closed, check valve 40 located between branch line 23' leading to the oxygen supply and exhaust line 19.

Associated .with line 37 on the operators side of breath pump 28 is a wall mounted, pressure-compensated valve 41 which has a sensing line 42 .afliliated therewith that leads into the facemask area of the rescuers mask 1. This sensingline is provided with an occlusion vent 43 which in one position blocks thisline and in another position renders it patent. Valve 41, whose construction is best shown in FIG. 2, it would be pointed out, opens only when the operator is inspiring air or oxygen in an open circuit mode.

Also included in line 37 at a point between exhaust line 3 and carbon dioxide absorber 9 is an airway occlusion cock 44. When closed, this cock insures that the operators inhalation is from the operators storage supply 16 and not from bellows 32 acting as a rebreathing elementas is required in an open circuit use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which schematically illustrates the details. of pressure-compensated valve 41, it will 'be seen that this valve includes an outer sleeve 45 that is secured to or otherwise mounted on air passageway 37. This sleeve, which is apertured at 46 and 47, accommodates a ring 48 that has a cutout portion 49 formed in its inner rim for retaining one end of a flexible, annular bellows 50. Sealing the other end of this bellows is a .hollow, T-shaped closure member 51 that has a sleeve 52 projecting from its top wall surface which slidably embraces the open end of pressure sensing line 42. Closure member 51 is spring biased by a helical spring 53, which also acts to maintain bellows 50 under a given amount of compression. It will be appreciated that member 51 stays in the position shown when, for example, the operator exhales with line 42 open since equal forces act on both sides of its bottom wall 55.

When closure member 51 is in the position shown, valve 41 is closed. For this valve to open, this member, it will be appreciated, must be upwardly displaced to a point slightly beyond the expanded limit of bellows 59. However, the condition of sensing line 42 determines whether or not this can happen. If this line is closed by occlusion vent 43, for example, valve 41 cannot be opened since any upward displacement of member 51 builds up the pressure within the lower part of this line, and this pressure counterbalances the force tending to further lift this member.

The operation of valve 41 is as follows: When occlusion vent 43 is closed, that is, when the lower portion of sensing line 42 is blocked and the operator, for example, expires, the buildup of pressure within line 37 and the lower portion of sleeve 45 in communication therewith moves closure member 51 upward towards the open end of sensing line 42. This movement, as mentioned above, increases the pressure within the lower portion of line 42, and further upward displacement of member 51 is prevented. Since member 51 has not traveled a distance sufiicient to become disengaged from bellows 52 because of the accompanying expansion of this bellows, valve 41 remains closed.

When occlusion vent 43 is opened, however, and line 42 made patent, valve 41 still remains closed during the operators exhalations since equal forces are directed against opposite sides of bottom wall 55 during this portion of his breathing cycle. However, any buildup of pressure within the line 37 can now open valve 41. Such a buildup can occur, for example, when bellows 52 collapses with flap valve 6 or occlusion cock 44 closed. Then, closure member 51 moves off of bellows 50 and an air passageway exists from line 37 to the atmosphere through vents 46 and 47. It would be pointed out that vent 43 is opened only when the operator is breathing in an open circuit mode with air or oxygen and it is desired to vent his discharge to the atmosphere.

When the system is interconnected in the manner shown with valves 6 and 26 closed, cock 44 opened and occlusion vent 43 closed, the rescuer breathes oxygen and the victim is resuscitated with oxygen. More particularly, the rescuers breathing requirements are first satisfied from the air mixture available within bellows 32 and then from fresh oxygen drawn from storage supply 16 on a demand basis. His discharge when it takes place passes out through valve into line 3 and thence into bellows 32, distending this element from its preformed midposition. When bellows 32 is expanded, it will be recognized, the air mixture within housing 28 and line 35 is forced through check valve 40, line 18, valve 21), into the victims facemask area for activating or stimulating his respiratory system. Valve 41, of course, remains closed during this revitalization attempt because of the closed condition of sensing line 42 which allows the pressure buildup to occur and prevents closure members 51 from moving off of bellows 5t) and establishing an air passageway to the atmosphere.

When the operator inspires, bellows 31 collapses. The air mixture previously accumulated within this storage space is now available for rebreathing and, consequently, it is treated in carbon dioxide absorber 9 prior to its use by the operator. The operator in this breathing mode thus has a closed rebreathing loop for minimizing the amount of fresh oxygen required from storage supply 16. If bellows 32 does not follow the operators breathing cycle, that is, if it is partially emptied when the operator com- 6 mences to inspire, then, oxygen is demanded from the storage supply.

When the operator exhales and the gas mixture within housing 29 and lines 18 and 35 is forced into the victims respiratory system, the construction of breath pump 28 provides physical isolation between the rescuers and operators respiratory systems. Hence, there is no possibility of mutual contamination.

When the operator inhales and bellows 32 collapses or when this element otherwise recoils to its preformed midposition, a negative pressure is created in lines 35 and 19, valve 21 opens, and the passive exhalation of the victim is aided.

It would be pointed out that the setting of demand valve 24 in the victims oxygen supply line is low enough so that the recoil of bellows 32 opens this valve after the victims lungs have been emptied. If the recoil action of the bellows is insufficient to open this valve, then the operators next inhalation effort will, by empting his bellows, demand oxygen for the victim through valves 20 and 21.

When the elastic recoil of the victims chest occurs, his discharge is sent through valve 21, line 19 and carbon dioxide absorber 27 into housing 29 for subsequent redelivery to him during the operators next expiration effort. Once the victim commences to breathe normally, his further breathing requirements are satisfied from the mixture within the breathing pump and from oxygen introduced into line 23 by demand valve 24.

When valve 6 is moved to the position shown to vent line 2 at point 7, the operator, instead of breathing oxygen, inhales air through this vent from the surrounding environment and his discharge continues to activate breath pump 28 in the manner described above, both to force oxygen or air-oxygen mixture into the victims lungs and assist his expirations. When valve 6 is open, cock 44 is closed and vent 43 open. This allows the operators discharge, after it has activated pump 28, to pass out of the system. More particularly, when bellows 32 returns to its midposition because of its preformed design, this movement builds up the pressure in line 37, and closure member 53, now unimpeded by the action of vent 40, moves to an open position to vent the system.

In order to permit the operator in the system of FIG. 1 to still breathe oxygen but in an open circuit mode with no rebreathing, as may be required, for example, to purge nitrogen or some toxic gas from his lungs, valve 6 need only be moved to its closed condition, cock 44 closed and vent 43 opened to make line 42 patent. When these conditions exist, of course, sensing line 42 is effective, and the operators discharge, after activating bellows 32, passes out of the system when bellows 32 recoils to its preformed condition and opens valve 41. Valve 41, here again, does not open during the operators exhalations because of the balanced pressures on opposite sides of bottom wall 55 of closure member 51.

The victim, it will be appreciated, can be ventilated with air by removing the cap 39 from air inlet valve 38 and moving valve 26 in discharge line 19 to its venting condition. When these adjustments are made, air from the local environment is sucked through valve 38 into the interior of breath pump 28 during the contraction of bellows 32 and then delivered to the victims facemask area when this element is next expanded by the operators subsequent exhalation. The victims discharge in this setup is vented to the atmosphere at valve 26.

The apparatus of FIG. 1 can be readily transformed into a rebreather escape device for the operator by merely breaking the system at disconnectors 25 and 34, provided these disconnectors are of the self-sealing type which automatically close the line when the male element of the connector is detached therefrom. Connectors of the type suitable for this purpose are described in the above copending application. In FIG. 3, there is shown one type of connector where line 60 has mounted therein a closure member 61 which is spring biased at 62 against a stop 63 to seal this end of the line. When line. 64 is inserted into line 60, a prong 65 projecting beyond line 64 displaces member 61 upwardly, thereby opening the line to the free passage of gas therethrough. -When line 64 is withdrawn, line 60 is again blocked by flap 61 returning to its closed condition. Also, when the male connectors are removed from the system of FIG. 1, a simple closure plate can be employed to cover the open end of the female line.

When the apparatus of FIG. 1 is so disconnected, the operator, at his election, can breathe oxygen in a closed system, oxygen in an open system or air in an open system, depending upon the adjustments made hereinbefore involving the condition of flap valve 6, cock 44 and sensing line 42.

By the same token, the apparatus of FIG. 1 can also be transformed into a rebreathing escape device for the victim by merely breaking the system at disconnectors 12 and 36 and closing the otherwise opened end of the lines terminating in the female elements of these connectors. In this setup, the victim can breathe oxygen in a closed circuit mode with breath pump 28 acting as a rebreathing accumulator, or oxygen in an open circuit mode by setting valve 26 to a venting condition, or air in an open circiut mode by additionally rendering airinlet valve 39 operable.

Instead of providing a separate demand valve for the victim and operator, the system can be somewhat simplified by replacing these valves with a single valve located in the vertical line 14 of T-section 13.

In FIGURE 4 there is illustrated an alternative system wherein the breath pump 80 consists. of a pair of similar rebreathing devices 81 and 82 fastened together. back-toback by quick disconnectors 83 and 84. Each rebreather has a housing 85 and 86 which is closed off at one end by a flexible, deformable diaphragm 87 and 88 made of a thin sheet of polyethylene. Because of this construction, these diaphragms do not have the recoil action of the bellows of FIG. 1 and, consequently, their movement depends completely upon the breathing action of the victim and the operator.

The other ends of rebreathers 81 and 82 are open at 89 and 90. Adjacent these openings, a multiplicity of splines 91, 92, 93, 94, etc., are positioned to prevent occulsion of the rebreathing bellows when they approach these ends.

In this modification, the operators facemask 100 contains check valves 101 and 102 in inlet and discharge lines 103 and 104, respectively. Similiarly, the victims facemask 105 is provided with check valves 106 and 107 in inlet and discharge lines 108 and 109, respectively. It would be pointed out that exhalation valve 107 is not pressure-compensated .as is the case in the arrangement of FIG. 1.

Each inlet line has a separate oxygen supply 110, 113, pressure reducer 111, 114 and demand valve 112, 115 coupled thereto. Positioned between the branch lines feeding oxygene into the inlet lines and facemaslrs are manually operated flap valves 130 and 116 of the type previously described. These flap valves, when in the positions shown, allow the operator and the victim to inspire air from the surrounding environment while isolating their oxygen supplies. Flap valves 115 and 117 are included in the discharge lines, the former permitting the operator to vent his discharge into the atmosphere when he is in an open circuit breathing mode, and the latter permitting the victim to be be resuscitatedwith air drawn from the surrounding environment. Carbon dioxide absorbers 118 and 119 are again positioned in the rebreathing loops and a check valve 131 is included between flap valve 117 and line 121. This valve insures that the mixture present in rebreather 81 is sent to the victims inlet line 108 and not out through flap valve 117 when the victim is in an open circuit mode.

The operators inlet and discharge lines 103 and 104 terminate in a short branch line 120 which communicate with the opend end of rebreather 82. This line can be an extension of housing 86. Likewise, the victims inlet and discharge lines 108 and 109 terminate in a branch line 121 which communicates with the open end of rebreather 81. It would be pointed out that when rebreathers 81 and 82 are assembled in the manner shown they constitute a single breather pump which can be activated by the victim or the operator to control the flow of the gas mixture in the other breathing circuit.

A standard pressure-compensated valve 122, that is, one similar to the type shown in FIG. 2 but without the occlusion vent in the pressure-sensing line, the annular bellows and having a simple plate instead of the T-shaped closure member, is mounted in the back wall 123 closing branch line 120.'This valve, it will be appreciated, stays closed during the exhalation portion of the operators breathing cycle. It opens only when the victims discharge drives diaphragms 87 and 88 to the right, as seen in FIG. 4, with flap valve 130 in the position shown and valves 115 and 117 in their alternative positions. When the operator is on air, valve 122, therefore, serves to vent his discharge after it has activated pump 80. However, this action comes about in response to the victims exhalations.

A second conventional, pressure-compensated valve 125, similar to 122, is mounted in the Wall portion of discharge line 109 before carbon dioxide absorber 119. This valve, whose pressure-sensing line is coupled to inlet line 108, opens only in response to the victims exhalations when flap valve 117 is in the position shown and allows the pressure to build up within line 109.

The various alternative breathing modes available to the operator are as follows: First, with flap valves 130 and 115 rotated to their alternative positions, he can operate pump while breathing oxygen from supply .110 in a closed rebreathing mode. With valve 130 moved to its alternative position and valve 115 in the position shown, he can continue to breathe oxygen in an open circuit mode without activating breath pump 80. Also, when the. flap valves are set in these positions, the victim can switch roles and perform as an operator to ventilate the individual wearing facemask with oxygen drawn from supply 110. When valves 130 and are in the position shown, the operator can inhale air from the surrounding environment and send his discharge out of the system again Without activating breath pump 30.

When valves 116 and 117 are rotated to their alternative positions, the victim can be resuscitated with oxygen in a closed system drawn from supply 113 either in response to the elastic recoil of this respiratory system or the operators inhalation action. When valve 116 is in the position shown and valve 117 rotated to its alternative position, the victim can inspire air from the surrounding environment, and his discharge can be used to activate pump 80 if this mode of operation is desirable in order,

for example, to aid the breathing of the individual wear-' ing facemask 100. When valves 116 and 117 are set in the positions shown, it will be appreciated, the victim can inspire air and vent his discharge to the atmosphere through valve 125. And when valve 117 is in the position shown and valve 116 in its alternative position, the victim can be ventilated with air and his discharge again vented through valve 125.

It would be noted in connection with the systemof ditionally, either party can operate the combined apparatus to empty the lungs of the other to purge inert or toxic gases therefrom and ventilate that individual with oxygen.

Instead of pump 80 having the construction mentioned above, this apparatus can also be arranged to duplicate the performance of breath pump 28 by having diaphragms 87 and 88 fabricated, for example, in the form of a sheet of rubber or thin polyethylene stretched across the open end of the housings 81 and 82. With such a design, both diaphragms will move in unison and return to a standby condition at which they will have their normal planar shape. Also, with this type of pump, it will be appreciated, the spring bias on pressure-compensated valve 122 should be strong enough to keep this valve closed when the diaphragms return to their standby condition with flap valve 130 rotated from the position shown. Valve 122 should only be opened by the recoil action of the diaphragms when the operator is breathing air and his discharge is to be vented to the atomsphere after operating breath pump 80.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a resuscitation system of the type in which the rescuers respiratory discharge is utilized to revive the victim, the combination of a first facemask for use by said rescuer, said facemask including a supply and discharge line which communicate With the facemask area,

valve means positioned in said lines for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said supply line into said facemask area and out said discharge line during each breathing cycle of said rescuer;

a second facemask for use by said victim, said second fasemask including an inlet and outlet line which communicate with said facemask area,

a first check valve positioned in said inlet line for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said inlet line into the facemask area of said second facemask,

a normally closed, pressure-compensated check valve positioned in said outlet line for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said facemask area out said outlet line,

said pressure-compensated check valve remaining closed whenever gas is forced from said inlet line through said first check valve into the facemask area of said second facemask during the resuscitation attempt; first and second air loops interconnecting said supply and discharge lines and said inlet and outlet lines, respectively;

a source of compressed oxygen,

said source of compressed oxygen being oupled to said first and second loops;

means for releasing fresh oxygen from said source into said first loop in accordance with the breathing requirements of said rescuer; and

a breath pump coupled to said first and second loops,

said breath pump being operated by the breathing action of said rescuer to intermittently release oxygen from said source into said second loop and to force the oxygen so released and any other gas mixture within said second loop into said inlet line through said first check valve and into the facemask area of said second facernask.

2. In an arrangement as defined in claim 1,

wherein said breath pump is coupled to said first and second loops by means of self-sealing connectors which seal said loops when said breath pump is decoupled therefrom.

3. In a resuscitation system of the type in which the rescuers respiratory discharge is utilized to revive the victim, the combination of a first facemask for use by said rescuer, said facemask including a supply and dis-charge line which communicate with the facemask area,

valve means positioned in each line for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said supply line into said facemask area and out said discharge line during each breathing cycle of said rescuer;

a second facemask for use by said victim, said second facemask including an inlet and outlet line which communicate With said facemask area,

first valve means positioned in said inlet line for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said inlet line into the facemask area of said second facemask,

a normally closed, pressure-compensated check valve positioned in said outlet line for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas from the facemask area of said second facemask out said outlet line,

said pressure-compensated check valve remaining closed whenever gas is forced from said inlet line through said first valve means into the facemask area of said second facemask during the resuscitation attempt;

first and second air recirculating loops interconnecting said supply and discharge lines and said inlet and outlet lines, respectively;

a supply of compressed oxygen,

said supply of compressed oxygen being coupled to said loops;

a breath pump having an input side coupled to said first loop and an output side coupled to said second loop,

said pump means being operated by the breathing action of said rescuer and during his inhalation effort creating a pressure condition within said outlet line which opens said pressure-compensated valve, assists the victims passive discharge and causes fresh oxygen from said supply to be released intermittently into said second loop and during his exhalation effort forcing some of the gas mixture within said second loop into said inlet line through said first valve means and into the facemask area of said second facemask.

4. In an arrangement as defined in claim 3,

carbon dioxide absorbers positioned in said first and second loops for treating the gas mixture flowing thercaround.

5. In an arrangement as defined in claim 3,

wherein said supply of compressed oxygen is coupled to said loops by self-sealing connectors.

6. In an arrangement as defined in claim 3,

wherein said supply of compressed oxygen is coupled to loops by means of first and second oxygen lines and wherein a demand valve is positioned in each supply line for controlling the release of fresh oxygen from said supply into said first and second loops.

7. In an arrangement as defined in claim 3,

means for permitting air from the local environment to be inspired by said rescuer while preventing oxygen from said supply from being released into said first loop by said rescuers breathing action.

8. In an arrangement as defined in claim 3,

second valve means for allowing air from the adjacent atmosphere to be drawn into said second loop by said breath pump or by the inhalation effort of said victim whereby said victim can be revived with or breathe air and means for venting said victims discharge from Ill said second loop out into said atmosphere when said victim is being revived with air or breathing air.

9. In an arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said pump means includes a housing and a bellows accommodated therein,

said bellows subdividing said housing into an outer and innerv compartment, with said outer compartment being in communication with said second loop and said inner compartment being in communication with said first loop,

said bellows being preformed to collapse to a midposition after being distended.

10. In a resuscitation system of the type in which the rescuers respiratory discharge is utilized to revive the victim, the combination of a first facemask for use by said rescuer, said facemask including a supply and discharge line which communicate with the facemask area,

valve means positioned in said lines for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said supply line into said facemask area and out said discharge line during each breathing cycle of said rescuer;

a second. facemask for use by said victim, said second facemask including an inlet and outlet line which communicate with said facemask area,

first valve means positioned in said inlet line for permitting a unidirectional fiow of gas to take place from said inlet line into the facemask area of said second facemask,

a normally closed, pressure-compensated check valve positioned in said outlet line for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place.

from said facemask area out said outlet line,

said pressure-compensated check valve remaining closed whenever gas is forced from said inlet line through said first valve means into the facemask area ofsaid second facemask during the resuscitation attempt;

first and second. air passageways interconnecting said supply and discharge lines in a first loop and said inlet and outlet lines in a second loop, respectively, for permitting said rescuer and victim to rebreathe their discharge;

a carbon dioxide absorber positioned in each passageway for treating the gas mixture circulating around said loops;

a supply of compressed oxygen;

feed iines coupling said supply of compressed oxygen to said loops;

a breath pump having a housing and an expandable bellows accommodated therein,

said bellows subdividing said housing into an inner and outer compartment and being preformed to return to a collapsed condition;

means for coupling said inner compartment to said first loop and said outer compartment to said second loop whereby when said bellows is expanded by the rescuers discharge some of the gas mixture present within said outer compartment and said second loop is forced into said inlet line through said first valve means and into the facemask area of said second facemask and whereby when said bellows collapses either in response to the rescuers inhalation or by its own action,'said pressure-compensated valve is opened, the victims passive discharge is aided and oxygen periodically released from said supply into said second loop.

11. In an arrangement as defined in claim 10,

wherein said breath pump acts as a rebreathing storage device for said rescuer and said victim.

12. In an arrangement as defined in claim 10,

wherein said pump acts as a rebreathing storage container whereby said rescuers discharge after is distends said bellows can be subsequently rebreathed by said rescuer tominimize the oxygen drawn from said oxygen supply,

said bellows isolating the gas mixture in said first loop from the gas mixture in said second loop whereby contamination of said rescuer and victim is prevented.

13. In an arrangement as defined in claim 10,

a manually operated valve positioned in said first loop,

said manually operated valve in one position permitting a free flow of gas around said loop and in another position opening said loop to the atmosphere to allow air to be drawn therein and through said supply line into the facemask area of said first facemask and blocking said loop at a point between said feed line, and said supply line.

14. In an arrangement as defined in claim 10,

a normally closed, pressure-compensated venting valve coupled to said first loop at a location adjacent said breath pump,

said valve being adapted to remain closed during the breathing cycle of said rescuer when said manually operated valve is in said one position and opening when said bellows collapses with said manually operated valve in said other posi* tion to allow the gas mixture discharged from said bellows to pass out into atmosphere.

15. In an arrangement as defined in claim 10,

a manually operated, flap valve positioned in said second loop at a location adjacent said outlet line,

said flap valve in one position allowing tree circulation of gas through said second loop and in another position venting said rescuers discharge which passes through said pressure-Compensated check valve and said outlet line into said second loop, blocking a downstreamside of said loop. 16. In a resuscitation system of the type in which the rescuers respiratory discharge is utilized to revive the victim, the combination of a first facemask for use by said rescuer, said facemask including an intake discharge line which communicate with.

the facemask area,

valve means positioned in said lines for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said intake into said facemask area and out said discharge line during each breathing cycle of said rescuer;

a second facemask for useby said victim, said second facemask including an inlet and outlet line which communicate with said second facemask area,

check valves positioned in said inlet and outlet lines for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said inlet line into the facemask area and out said outlet line;

a first air circulating loop interconnecting said intake and discharge lines;

a second lair circulating loop interconnecting said air inlet and outlet lines;

a first and second supply of compressed oxygen;

first and second feed lines connecting said first and second supplies of compressed oxygen to said first and second loops, respectively;

a normally closed demand valve positioned in each feed line for releasing oxgen from each oxygen supply into said air circulating loops when opened by the inhalation efforts of said rescuer and victim;

a first rebreathing storage device coupled to said first loop;

a second rebreathing storage device connected to said second loop,

13 each of said storage devices having a deformable backwall portion; means for detachably connecting said first and second rebreathing storage devices in a back-to-back manner with said deformable back wall portions in confrontation, whereby a gas mixture sent into one of said rebreather storage devices forces any gas mixture in the other rebreather storage device out therefrom, said first and second rebreather storage devices acting as a breath pump and during the rescuers exhalation effort forcing some of the gas in said second loop into the facemask area of said second facemask and during the rescuers inhalation effort assisting the victims passive exhalations and intermittently opening the demand valve in said second feed line to release oxygen into said second loop. 17. In an arrangement as defined in claim 16, a carbon dioxide absorber positioned in each loop for treating the gas mixture circulating therearound. 18. In an arrangement as defined in claim 16, means for allowing said rescuer to breath air from the surrounding atmosphere and his discharge to pass into said first rebreathing storage device to activate said breath pump, and means for venting said rescuers discharge out of said first loop into the surrounding atmosphere after said discharge has activated said breath pump. 19. In an arrangement as defined in claim 16, means for allowing air to enter said second loop and be drawn into said second rebreathing storage device during the rescuers inhalation efiort whereby said victim can be ventilated with air during the rescuers exhalation etfort, and means for discharging the victims exhalations out said second loop into the surrounding atmosphere when he is being ventilated with air. 20. In a resuscitation system of the type in which the rescuers respiratory discharge is utilized to revive the victim, the combination of a first facemask for use by said rescuer, said facemask including an intake and discharge line which communicate with the facemask area,

valve means positioned in said lines for permitting a undirectional flow of gas to take place from said intake into said facemask area and out said discharge line during each breathing cycle of said rescuer;

a second facemask for use by said victim, said second facemask including an inlet and outlet line which communicate with said second facemask area,

check valves positioned in said inlet and outlet lines for permitting a unidirectional flow of gas to take place from said inlet line into the facemask area and out said outlet line;

a first air circulating loop interconnecting said intake and discharge lines;

a second air circulating loop interconnecting said air inlet and outlet lines;

a first and second supply of compressed oxygen;

first and second feed lines connecting said first and second supply of compressed oxygen to said first and second loops, respectively;

a normally closed demand valve positioned in each feed line for releasing oxygen from each oxygen supply into said loops in response to the rescuers and victims inhalation efforts;

a breath pump coupled to said first and second loops,

said breath pump being capable of being operated by the rescuers discharge to force some of the gas mixture in said second loop into said victims facemask area or by the victims discharge 14 p to force some of the gas mixture in said first loop into said rescuers facemask area,

said breath pump during the rescuers inhalation effort assisting the victims passive exhalations and intermittently opening the demand valve in said second feed line to release fresh oxygen into said second loop.

21. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20, I

a carbon dioxide absorber positioned in each air circulating loop for treating the gas mixture flowing therearound whereby said rescuer and victim can rebreathe their own discharge.

22. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20,

wherein said breath pump can be subdivided into a pair of rebreathing storage devices for permitting said rescuer and said victim to rebreath their discharge and minimize the drain from said supplies of compressed oxygen.

23. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20,

means for opening said first loop to the atmosphere to permit said rescuer to breath air while preventing his inhalation effort from opening the demand valve in said first feed line whereby the release of oxygen from said first supply into said first loop is prevented.

24. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20, U a first manually operated flap valve connected in said first loop,

said flap valve in one position not interfering with the flow of gas around said loop and in a second position opening said loop to the atmosphere to allow said rescuer to inspire air while blocking said loop at a point which prevents said rescuers inhalation eiforts from opening the demand valve in said first feed line.

25. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20,

a normally closed, pressure-compensated venting valve mounted in said first loop,

said pressure-compensated venting valve remaining closed whenever said first loop is unblocked and opening only when the gas mixture in said first rebreathing storage device is sent out therefrom into said first loop with said first flap valve in said second position.

26. In an arrangement as defined in claim 26,

a second manually operated flap valve positioned in said second loop at a location adjacent said inlet line,

said valve in one position not interfering with the circuiation of gas around said second loop and in a second position allowing air to enter said loop and be drawn into the facemask area of said second facemask by said victims inhalation and preventing said victims inhalations from operating the demand valve in said second feed line.

27. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20,

means for venting the victims discharge out from said second loop into the atmosphere when said second manually operated valve is in said other position.

28. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for venting the victims discharge out from said second loop includes a normally closed, pressure-compensated venting valve connected in said second loop at a point adjacent said outlet line, and

a third flap valve located between said pressure-compensated venting valve and said second rebreather,

said third flap valve in a first position not interfering with the flow of gas around said loop and in a second position permitting air to enter said loop and be drawn into said second rebreathing setorage device while blocking said loop at a point which prevents said victims 15 discharge from passing into said second rebreathing storage device. 29. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20, wherein said breath pump acts as a rebreathing storage device for said rescuer and said victim whereby the oxygen drain from said oxygen supplies is minimized. 30. In an arrangement as defined in claim 20, a flap valve coupled to said first loop,

said flap valve in one position not interfering with the flow of the rescuers discharge around said first loop and into said breath pump and 16 in a second position venting the rescuers discharge into the atmosphere.

5/ 1924 Great Britain. 8/ 1963 Great Britain.

RICHARD A.- GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

K. L HOWELL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A RESUSCITATION SYSTEM OF THE TYPE IN WHICH THE RESCUER''S RESPIRATORY DISCHARGE IS UTILIZED TO REVIVE THE VICTIM, THE COMBINATION OF A FIRST FACEMASK FOR USE BY SAID RESCUER, SAID FACEMASK INCLUDING A SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE LINE WHICH COMMUNICATE WITH THE FACEMASK, AREA, VALVE MEANS POSITIONED IN SAID LINES FOR PERMITTING A UNIDIRECTIONAL FLOW OF GAS TO TAKE PLACE FROM SAID SUPPLY LINE INTO SAID FACEMASK AREA AND OUT SAID DISCHARGE LINE DURING EACH BREATHING CYCLE OF SAID RESCURE; A SECOND FACEMASK FOR USE BY SAID VICTIM, SAID SECOND FACEMASK INCLUDING AN INLET AND OUTLET LINE WHICH COMMUNICATE WITH SAID FACEMASK AREA, A FIRST CHECK VALVE POSITIONED IN SAID INLET LINE FOR PERMITTING UNIDIRECTIONAL FLOW OF GAS TO TAKE PLACE FROM SAID INLET LINE INTO THE FACEMASK AREA OF SAID SECOND FACEMASK, A NORMALLY CLOSE, PRESSURE-COMPENSATED CHECK VALVE POSITIONED IN SAID OUTLET LINE FOR PERMITTING A UNIDIRECTIONAL FLOW OF GAS TO TAKE PLACE FROM SAID FACEMASK AREA OUT SAID OUTLET LINE, SAID PRESSURE-COMPENSATED CHECK CALVE REMAINING CLOSED WHENEVER GAS IS FORCED FROM SAID INLET LINE THROUGH SAID FIRST CHECK VALVE INTO THE FACEMASK AREA OF SAID SECOND FACEMASK DURING THE RESUSCITATION ATTEMPT; FIRST AND SECOND AIR LOOPS INTERCONNECTING SAID SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE LINES AND SAID INLET AND OUTLET LINES, RESPECTIVELY; A SOURCE OF COMPRESSED OXYGEN, SAID SOURCE OF COMPRESSED OXYGEN BEING COUPLED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOOPS; MEANS FOR RELEASING FRESH OXYGEN FROM SAID SOURCE INTO SAID FIRST LOOP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BREATHING REQUIREMENTS OF SAID RESCUER; AND A BREATH PUMP COUPLED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOOPS, SAID BREATH PUMP BEING OPERATED BY THE BREATHING ACTION OF SAID RESCUER TO INTERMITTENTLY RELEASE OXYGEN FROM SAID SOURCE INTO SAID SECOND LOOP AND TO FORCE THE OXYGEN SO RELATED AND ANY OTHER GAS MIXTURE WITHIN SAID SECOND LOOP INTO SAID INLET LINE THROUGH SAID FIRST CHECK VALVE AND INTO THE FACEMASK AREA OF SAID SECOND FACEMASK. 